Insects crawl onto the menu in Cornwall

Cornwall can expect to get something a little bit different as the county prepares for its Great Cornish Food Festival.

Taking place from 23-25 September in Truro’s Lemon Quay, the festival will welcome 100 different food experts, chefs and producers to celebrate Cornish produce.

Although traditional foods will be available, attendees can expect something different to this year’s festival, in the form of edible insects. Former university lecturer Fred McVittie from Cornish Edible Insects will be at the event to showcase how the likes of meal worms, cricket flour and other insects can be used for cooking.

“I think it’s important to let people experience just how delicious insect-based cuisine can be,” said McVittie. “At the festival I’ll be offering the opportunity for visitors to try not only the whole insects, but also some tasty dishes made from tiny livestock: spicy Italian sausage made with mealworms, cricket falafel, and maybe a mixed bug burger.”

Edible insects are not just a novelty eating experience, but they also offer an alternate method of protein, amino acids and energy intake.

Also at the Great Cornish Food Festival will be local farmer and butcher Philip Warren, who works with well-known chefs and restaurants from Cornwall to London.